School Social Worker Jobs in South Dakota
School Social Worker jobs in South Dakota draw steady demand from K-12 public school districts, tribal education programs, and special education cooperatives, with openings at entry, mid-career, and senior levels. The largest concentrations of hiring are in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, where employers such as the Sioux Falls School District, Rapid City Area Schools, and the Bureau of Indian Education maintain consistent staffing needs. The most in-demand specialties are mental health intervention, special education compliance, and trauma-informed student support. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Careers With Purpose
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.
Facility: Central Patient Building
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Address: 1305 W 18th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57117, USA
Shift: Day
Job Schedule: PRN
Weekly Hours: Varies
Salary Range: $24.00 - $36.00
Job Summary
Provides supportive services/counseling on healthcare and home care programs and services. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team in providing assistance with social, emotional and economical concerns of patients/clients/residents and families/caregivers, thus enabling them to achieve or maintain an optimal level of functioning by coordinating and planning programs. Provides crisis intervention and assists families in understanding the implications and complexities of medical situations. Coordinates healthcare programs among patients/clients/residents, families/caregivers and psychosocial and healthcare teams/communities. Demonstrates knowledge of human behavior and developmental stages.
Responds to suspected abuse, neglect or violence in accordance with the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics policies and procedures alongside the appropriate state laws. Develops appropriate plan of care for patients/clients/residents and families/caregivers by obtaining resources from the social, health and human services agencies. Provides referrals, current information and/or education regarding programs and services available. Demonstrates commitment to the organization by utilizing time effectively, participating in special projects/assignments and exhibiting flexibility when necessary. Demonstrates professionalism by participating in care conferences and transitional rounding, serving as an advocate. Demonstrates efficacy in critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making. Possesses written and verbal communication skills while establishing a rapport with patients/clients/residents, families/caregivers and communities and healthcare teams/communities. Displays independent judgement. Actively participates with the healthcare teams.
Depending on department may be providing social services for donors and transplant recipients.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited curriculum required.
If working in Minnesota, other education accepted according to and based upon Minnesota statue.
Healthcare and/or mental health hospital experience preferred.
Depending on location, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within six weeks of employment. Depending on position, may be required to possess multi-state licensure privilege.
Must possess a license in good standing in state(s) of practice:
In Iowa:
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
In Minnesota:
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or other allowed credential based on Minnesota statue
In North Dakota:
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
In South Dakota:
Social Worker license (SW)
In Wisconsin:
Wisconsin Social Work Certification or Social Work Training Certificate within two years of hire date, resulting in obtaining your WI State Social Work license
In Michigan:
Certified Social Worker (CSW)
GSS locations:
Licensure or certification as a social worker in the state where the location is located, if required by State Social Work licensing board.
Benefits
Sanford offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, work/life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance. For more information about Total Rewards, visit https://sanfordcareers.com/benefits .
Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org .
Sanford has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.
Req Number: R-0266057
Job Function: Care Coordination
Featured: No
See All 14 School Social Worker Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find School Social Worker JobsSchool Social Worker Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
School Social Worker Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sioux Center Health4

- Sanford Health2

- Huron Regional Medical Center2

- US Department of Veterans Affairs2

- DaVita1

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services9
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in school social worker jobs across South Dakota.
- Active South Dakota licensed certified social worker or school social worker credential required
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program strongly preferred
- Experience working with school-age children in educational or clinical settings
- Familiarity with IEP processes, special education law, and IDEA compliance
- Strong crisis intervention, counseling, and case management skills
- Valid South Dakota driver's license and ability to travel between district buildings
School Social Worker Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a school social worker in South Dakota?
To become a school social worker in South Dakota, you must earn a master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, then obtain a South Dakota educator certificate with a school social worker endorsement through the South Dakota Department of Education. You will also need a state social work license issued by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. Most districts require completing a supervised field placement in a school setting before hire.
Which companies hire school social workers in South Dakota?
Companies currently hiring school social workers in South Dakota include Sioux Center Health, Sanford Health, and Huron Regional Medical Center, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. South Dakota's tribal school systems and regional special education cooperatives are also consistent employers for school social workers throughout the state.
Which South Dakota cities have the most school social worker jobs?
Sioux Falls, Huron, and Kennebec have the most school social worker openings in South Dakota. Sioux Falls leads as the state's largest city with its sizable public school district and growing student population, while Rapid City and Aberdeen anchor the hiring in western and north-central South Dakota through their respective school districts and regional education cooperatives.
Are there remote school social worker jobs in South Dakota?
Yes, but they're rare. School social work is largely an in-person role built around direct student contact, IEP meetings, and on-site crisis response. About 25% of school social worker openings tied to South Dakota are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions typically involve telehealth counseling support or administrative coordination roles rather than full caseload management.
How can I get hired as a school social worker in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying through supervised internship placements embedded in South Dakota school districts during your master's program, as many districts convert strong interns to staff positions. New graduates should target special education cooperatives and rural districts in regions like the Missouri River area and the Black Hills, where competition is lower. An active school social worker endorsement from the South Dakota Department of Education and any prior work as a paraprofessional, school counselor aide, or family advocate strengthens early applications considerably.
Where can I find and apply to school social worker jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to school social worker jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from districts, cooperatives, and other employers across the state. Search for roles that match your credentials and experience level and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 14 School Social Worker Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find School Social Worker Jobs